Catholic priest backs TIE campaign
A Catholic priest has publicly supported the teaching of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues in all Scottish schools.
Father Paul Morton of Saint Bride's in Cambuslang, has called for prejudice-based bullying and discrimination to be "a thing of the past" as he offers his support to LGBT young people across the country.
He has endorsed the Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) campaign, which is working with the Scottish Government to introduce a programme of LGBT inclusive education into all Scottish schools as part of a new national approach to tackle high rates of homophobic and transphobic bullying.
The campaign published a report last year which found that 90% of LGBT people experience homophobia at school, while 27% reported that they had attempted suicide due to being bullied.
Morton said: “As a Catholic priest I have met many people who struggle with their sexuality, and I know the great harm that this has done in the lives of many men and women.
“I want this to be a thing of the past and I believe that this is the intention behind the TIE campaign.
"It is clear that the TIE campaign is on the front-line of reaching out to young people in Scotland who are trying to understand both their sexuality and their identity.
“I cannot help but be impressed by both the clarity and vision that they have for their work. Most of all I want to give my unequivocal support to those who will benefit from it - a huge number of young people across the length and breadth of Scotland.
"We are waking up to a Scotland where LGBTI people are no longer invisible and don’t have to hide who they are or what they are, and that has to be a good thing.
"In times gone by the church was always a building which people went to for sanctuary - it is my hope that the church can be that once again for LGBTI people."
Morton is the first representative of the Catholic Church to support the campaign, and he joins other faith leaders including Reverend Kelvin Holdsworth of the Scottish Episcopal Church and Church of Scotland minister John Nugent in doing so.
The move was welcomed by Gerard Killen, the Labour MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West.
He said: “Attitudes in society are changing and father Morton joins teachers, trade unions, charities and politicians from all parties in recognising the need for action when it comes to the challenges facing LGBT young people at school."
The Scottish Government recently launched a national working group to take forward TIE's proposals after a majority of MSPs signed the campaign's strategy pledge, which includes calls for teacher training and new legislation on the issue.
TIE's founders Jordan Daly and Liam Stevenson are members of the group, along with representatives from organisations including education Scotland.
Responding to Morton's support, Daly said: "We are delighted and encouraged by father Morton's support for our campaign.
"This is culturally and historically significant, as his stance further highlights that having faith and supporting LGBT rights are not mutually exclusive nor controversial.
"We are looking forward to working more closely with father Morton as we continue in our efforts to ensure that all schools are LGBT inclusive environments."
